DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i04.023

Pages: 304-307

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a severe neurologic injury that causes functional impairment of the affected upper limb. Imaging studies play an essential role in differentiating between preganglionic and postganglionic injuries, a distinction that is crucial for optimal treatment planning. Findings at standard conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging help determine the location and severity of injuries. Material and Methods: This is prospective and observational study descriptive study conducted at during January 2013 to June 2013 at Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga. Patients who have history of cervical spine or shoulder trauma with suspicious involvement of brachial plexus. Patients of all age with either sex groups were included in the study. Result: MRI examination of brachial plexus was done for 49 patients with clinically suspected traumatic or obstetric brachial plexopathy. Those patients were surgically explored with confirmed intraoperative findings. Thirty-eight patients were presented with traumatic brachial plexus injury: 31 males and 7 females. The most common component involved in brachial plexus injuries was roots 50% of cases followed by trunk is 42.1% of cases. and least were cord injury. Divisions and cords involved in 18.4% and 13.1% of cases respectively. In our study, no patient has involvement of branches. Conclusion: The brachial plexus can be efficiently imaged and effectively interpreted by the general radiologist when approached from a practical standpoint. Practical and useful information that can help the referring physician include, pre- vs. post-ganglionic location of lesion, mass vs. non-mass like enhancement, laterality or bilateral nature of disease, location of injury/mass/abnormality in BP segments (eg root, trunk, division, etc.), and anatomical region and surrounding structures involved (eg, interscalene space, costoclavicular triangle, relationship to subclavian/axillary vessels).